The Washington critic., 1887-08-06
TWO NOTABLE SCHOOLS.
Tho Howard Unlyersity-A sketch OF
IT, History and Its President.

Of Washington taking into consideration
the recent enfrauchsemont OF the slaves,
and feeling the need Of having them upon
higher intellectual plane that they might
use their newly.acqurcd powers more in
tGlligently, began to speak Of establishing
here theological school for the cd
ucatiOn OF ministers and teachers who could
goamong their brethren and open to them
the book Of knowledge. A meeting was
called November 20, 1866, and several
weekly meetings thereafter were held until
their crude plans took definite shape aud
University was decided upon. A committee
was appointed to solicit a charter, which
was passed by Congress on the second OF
March, 1867.
The name given, "IIoward University
was In honor OF Major General o o. Howard,
tlOn Commissioner OF the Frecdmen's Bu-
rCau, and was given without consulting
him. At that time there were no prospects
for financial aid from the Government, the
OrlginatoIs expecting to rely upon private
subscriptions for lie entire support. The
first meeting was held March 10, 1867, In
which officers were elected. One OF the
fret acts was to purchase ground, buying
100 acres, principally on credit, subdividing
a portion and realizing enough from the
sale OF lots In 1859 to leave them large
ard beautiful tract fully paid for. Congress
soon after appropriated money to build
school buildings, on land held by legally
Incorporated bodies, devoted pefpetually to
the education of youth, without regard to
race, color or sex.
This fund aided the university In erect
ing a suitable building for their pur-
poses. During the financial troubles from
1870 to '73 the university became involved
to the extent of more than 100000, and
were placed IN very trying circumstances
until 1877, when the debt all being paid
their financial sea became calm, and smooth
sailing took the place of the buiretlng waves
which had so long beat against them. Con
gress has for the past eght years annually
appropriated sums ranging from $4,000 to
10000 for the general expenses OF the In
| stitutiop, and has thus aided greatly In
| carrying forward the good work. Tuition
| is free IN the normal, preparatory, college,
| Industrial and theological departments,
| while in the medical Oncluilng dental and
| phhrmaceutical and law the fees are very
low. In connection with this article
short sketch OF the president and secretary
| will be ofinterest.
The president OF Howard University is
| Rev. William w. Patton, d. D., LII. ID. He
| was born In New York city, October 10,
| ls2l; was graduated from the university OF
| that city In the class Of 1889, aud from the
| Union Theological Seminary OF the same
city in the class OF 1912. He has been the
pastor of three Congregational churches,
viz: Phillips Church, Boston; Fourth
| Church, Hartford, Conn, and First Church,
Chicago, Ill. He was during the civil war
vice-president Of the Northwestern Sanitary
Commission at Chicago and made numer-
Gus expeditions OF relief to the armies In the
field, and also, as chairman OF the commit
tee, presented to President Lincoln the
memorial from Chicago In behalf OF emanci-
patton. In 1867 he and his friends estab-
lished The AdraHcG in that city, OF which he
was the editorin-chief for i've years. The
previous year he had spent In an extensive
tour through Europe and tho Orient. After
Eve more years, In which he engaged largely
In authorship and other literary work, he
became, in 1877, the president OF Howard
University.
The secretary and treasurer, j. b. John
son, was born In Oakland County, Michi-
gan, IN 1880, and was farmer and merchant
until the war. After serving two years he
was compelled to leave on account Of Ill
health, and became clerk In the War De-
partment. He was one Of the originators
and charter member OF the University.
In 1868 he resigned his position In the De
partment and returned to business iu Mich
igan, where be remained until 1872, when
be was elected treasurer Of the University.
At that time 100000 Indebtedness was
hanging over IT., but he has brought It out
aud placed 1t upon firm foundation. Mr..
johnson is self-educated and has attained
his present position by ability, integrity and
devotion to his work. The work Is worthy
and should be supported by the people at
large to the extent OF their ability.
wavsriey Seminary.
The institution bearing this name, one OF
our prominent select city schools for the
education Of young ladies', was organized
September IL, 1865, in Georgetown, under
| ~ n To 1a
by Mrs. Mary Z. Bib and Miss S. a. Lips
comb as associate principals.
These ladies were both natives OF George
town, their grandparents having removed
to Washington before the "ten miles
squaren became the seat OF the General
Government. They were students In the
old-time Georgetown Female Seminary,
} founded by Miss Lydia s. English, and be-
lopged to family of teachers their brother,
DR.. A. A. Llpscomb, having been chancel-
lor of the University Of Georgia for llfteen
years.
Both OF these ladies were adapted to their
work and they brought with them the In
dorsement Of scholarly gentlemen from the
States, where they had labored effectively
Georgetown Female Seminary increased
in prosperity under the management OF the
principals, numbering among Its patrons
| the best families OF the town. At the end
of three years Mrs. Bibb retired from her
position ard Miss Lipscomb has conducted
the school since (lS7ll, assisted by an ELI.
cieDt corps Of instructors.
The aim Of the school at Its first incep-
tion Was to give Georgetown permanent
institution. How well the Idea was carried
out Is abundantly attested to by the host Of
students, and more than four-score gradu-
ates, who have passed out from the train.
ing, both Of Georgetown Female Seminary
and its successor, Waverley Seminary, to
become ornaments In society, or to take
| positions OF trust and responsibility.
After ten years OF success, Miss Lipscomb
removed the school to this city and opened
1t as Waverley Seminary.
The course OF study Is full, embracing
English literature, mathematics aud the
sciences. The speclatles have always been
thorough drill In mathematics and COM
position, and the formation OF those ac,
curate mental habits in the pupil. The
public entertainments have been unexcep.
tiOnable exponents of the literary aud
artistic merit OF the school. Art and music
and elocution have always been liberally
patronized, but the highest aim has always
been to teach the pupils to speak and write
their own language elegantly.
We commend Wayerley Seminary as de-
serving the appreciation and support Of the
community, aud bespeak for its Goth yeal
opening, October 8, abundant success.
| military Eocau,nmanf